OEM 2000 Dodge Ram 1500 Clutch Master Cylinder

2000 Dodge Ram 1500 Clutch Master Cylinder Parts and Q&A

• Q: How to Service a Factory-Installed Clutch Master Cylinder and Hydraulic Linkage on 2000 Dodge Ram 1500?

  A: The factory-installed hydraulic linkage comes with a quick disconnect on the slave cylinder, so don't disturb it, because you only service the entire assembly as two pieces and the linkage is quick and easy to install. After linking the clutch hydraulic line to the slave cylinder, this connection can't be taken apart and the elements in the linkage assembly must be handled as a single unit. To get access to the clutch master cylinder, first support your vehicle on some blocks, then let go of the nuts holding the slave cylinder to the clutch housing and remove the slave cylinder. After that, take out the plastic clips that attach the hydraulic line to the lower and upper dash panel. Draw the clutch pedal down, remove the wires linking the pedal to the dashboard interlock, remove the retaining clip and work the clutch push rod off the pedal pin. Look at the bushing in the push rod and change the hydraulic linkage if you find it worn out or broke. Secure the lid on the clutch master cylinder reservoir so nothing spills during removal, remove the nuts on the clutch master cylinder and the screws on the reservoir and pull out the master cylinder, clutch cylinders, reservoir and connecting lines from the car. While setting up, secure the cap on the clutch fluid reservoir, install the cylinders, linking lines and reservoir in the engine compartment and set the hydraulic line facing the dash panel. Place the clutch master cylinder in the dash panel and fasten it with the nuts you have. Grease the inside and outside of the bushing where it meets the master cylinder and put the push rod on the clutch pedal pin. Then secure the push rod with the retaining clip. Reattach the wires from the clutch pedal position switch, place the clutch fluid reservoir on the dash panel and tighten the reservoir screws to 5 Nm (40 inch lbs.). After installing the clips, bring the hydraulic line into place, raise the vehicle, insert the slave cylinder and be sure the end cap in the rod is inside the release lever before tightening the nuts to 23 Nm (200 inch lbs.) torque. When installing a new linkage, connect the clutch hydraulic line to the clutch slave cylinder, raise the car back up and try out the linkage several times.